Hometeam 2010 Football Preview - Worcester Telegram & Gazette

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PAGE CENTRAL MASS. HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE WWW.TELEGRAM.COM/HOMETEAM 26 Home field: Leicester High. Grass field, 174 Paxton Street, Leicester. Brain trust: Coach: Tim Griffiths (second season back at Leicester, 78-45 at LHS, 82-74 career). Assistants: Rigo Alfonso, Mike Lynch, John Kenneway, Justin Bonner, Sean Giles, Fran Witkowski, Jason Kenneway. Returning starters: 16 (8 offense, 8 defense). Captains: Sr. RB/DE Ryan O’Neill, Sr. RB/SS Trevor Choruzek, Sr. QB/DB Christian Rodrick, Sr. T/DT Ben Millett. Top players: Sr. TE/DE Scott Bruce, Sr. TE/DE Anthony Lombardozzi, Sr. G/LB Troy Grendell, Sr. T/DT Mike Doyle, Sr. T/DT Mike Hadchickian, Jr. TE/DE Mike Stasiewicz, So. RB/DB Nick Kenneway, Sr. SE/DB Emile Bazille, So. QB/DB Nick Wilson, Jr. QB/CB Connor Marc-Aurele. Out with the old: The Wolverines graduated just one of their three Division 2B all-stars from last year in S Rob Jarobski. In with the new: Sr. T/G Anthony Dupuis, Jr. QB/S Mike Ferraro, Jr. SE/S Tyler Goodney, So. SE/DB Mykeem Minton, So. QB/DB Nick Wilson, So. G/LB Dave Dupont, Jr. T/DT Ryan Green, Jr. T/DT Mason Chapman, Jr. T/DT Sean Ellstrom, Jr. T/DT Josh Lulu. DIVISION 2B Leicester Wolverines When the Wolverines have the ball: Multiple offensive looks. … Scored 145 points last year. … The Wolverines return most of their skill players, including Choruzek at RB, who should be helped out by Kenneway. … Rodrick is back at QB and will a receiving corps led by Goodney. When their opponents have the ball: 5-2 defensive alignment. … Allowed 174 points last year. … O’Neill is the rock of the defense. … Millett, Bruce, Dupuis and Lombardozzi will help on the DL. … Grendell and Dupont will solidify the linebacking corps. … Bazille, Minton, Wilson and Marc-Aurele will provide a strong defensive backfield. In the trenches: The Wolverines have plenty of bodies to plug into the line, including juniors Green, Chapman, Ellstrom and Lulu, and seniors Doyle and Hadchickian. … Stasiewicz should step in at TE. One to watch: In order to get back to the glory days of Leicester football, the Wolverines need a leader. Griffiths thinks he’s found one in O’Neill, who finished second in Central Mass. in sacks last year with 12. Griffiths said O’Neill puts in about 20-30 hours a week and never misses a weight room session. “He’s as hard working on and off the field as any kid I’ve ever coached,” said Griffiths, who is O’Neill’s godfather. “He 2009: 4-7 (3-4 Division 2B) By Jim Wilson also does charity work and maintains a high level of grades at school.” What you should know: The Leicester Booster Club organized a fundraiser and was able to help install lights at Leicester High, allowing the team to play at the high school on Friday nights. … The Wolverines lost four games last year by a touchdown or less. Behind enemy lines: “They have a lot of pieces back this year, and Griff had that year to teach everyone his system,” a rival coach said. “They’re going to be tough to beat this year.” Schedule: Sept. 10.......................................at Quabbin, 7 Sept. 17......................................Northbridge, 7 Sept. 24 .........................................Quaboag, 7 Oct. 1 .......................................at Tantasqua, 7 Oct. 9.....................................at Uxbridge, 2:30 Oct. 16..............................................Bartlett, 7 Oct. 22.............................................Grafton, 7 Oct. 29..............................................Oxford, 7 Nov. 5 ....................................at Southbridge, 7 Nov. 12 ........................................at Millbury, 7 Nov. 25 ...............................David Prouty, 10:15 Key game: Sept. 17 vs. Northbridge. The Wolverines don’t have much time to get ready for the biggest test of their season. Leicester is getting some talk among rival coaches, so this could be the Wolverines’ comingout party under Griffiths. 2009 results: Leicester 12 ......................................Quabbin 3 Northbridge 35.................................Leicester 7 Leicester 30.....................................Quaboag 0 Tantasqua 21 .................................Leicester 14 Leicester 21....................................Uxbridge 10 Bartlett 12 .......................................Leicester 0 Leicester 20 ......................................Oxford 13 Southbridge 8 ..................................Leicester 7 Millbury 20 ....................................Leicester 14 Grafton 19......................................Leicester 13 David Prouty 33 ...............................Leicester 7 Jim’s take: With 16 returning starters — including most of their skill positions — look for Leicester to take another step in its rebuilding process. The Wolverines have a tough but winnable schedule, and they could be fighting for a playoff spot. 5 Follow the Wolverines’ every game this fall at www.telegram.com/hometeam. Millbury Woolies 2009: 4-8 (3-4 Division 2B); Division 2 Playoffs Home field: Millbury High. Grass field, 12 Martin St., Millbury. Brain trust: Coach: Ryan Matson (first season). Assistants: Brian Sullivan, Pat Mara, Jeff Sloat, Craig Lavallee, Mike O’Neil, Rob MacDonnell, AJ Caswell, Adam Matson. Returning starters: 10 (5 offense, 5 defense). Captains: Sr. C/DE Bryan Humphrey, Sr. WR/S Jay Emmott, Jr. FB/LB Brian Dufresne, Sr. FB/LB Todd Deschenes. Top players: Sr. RB/DB Brandon Richard, Jr. QB/DB Andrew Ekstrom, Sr. TE/DE Dave McAtee, Sr. QB/DB Kyle Fennelly, Jr. QB/DB Lukas Bernard, Sr. OL/DL Brian Humphrey, Jr. OL/DL Steve Labrie, Jr. RB/DB Bobby Boire, Sr. WR/DB Jay Emmott, Jr. FB/LB Brian Dufresne, Sr. FB/LB Todd Deschenes, Sr. WR/DB Jimmy Morcone, Jr. WR/DB Mike Valastro, Jr. OT/DT Steve Labrie. Out with the old: The Woolies graduated two of their three Division 2B all-stars, OL Pete Bott and DL Tyler Maynard. In with the new: So. FB/LB Randy Mogren. When the Woolies have the ball: Multiple offensive formations. … Scored 188 points in 2009. … The Woolies will be led by Richard, a three-year starter in the backfield. … Ekstrom and Fennelly have been competing for the quarterback job. … Boire will help out Richard in the backfield. When their opponents have the ball: Multiple defensive formations. … Allowed 295 points last year. … Dufresne and Deschenes are back at linebacker. … Emmott, Morcone and Valastro return at defensive back. In the trenches: Labrie and Humphrey return on the offensive line. … McAtee is back at tight end. One to watch: The Woolies will rely on Richard to carry the team. The three-year starter has shown he’s one of the better backs around, rushing for 1,286 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior. What you should know: The Millbury youth movement seemed to pay off down the stretch last year, as the Woolies won four of their last six games to clinch a Division 2 playoff berth. By Jim Wilson Schedule: Sept. 9......................................at Northbridge, 7 Nov. 17 ...........................................at Bartlett, 7 Nov. 24 ..............................................Auburn, 7 Oct. 2............................................at Uxbridge, 1 Oct. 8......................................at David Prouty, 7 Oct. 15.............................................Bay Path, 7 Oct. 22.........................................Southbridge, 7 Oct. 29 .........................................at Quaboag, 7 Nov. 5 .................................................Oxford, 7 Nov. 12 ............................................Leicester, 7 Nov. 25 .....................................at Grafton, 10:15 Key game: Oct. 2 at Uxbridge. Near the end of a brutal stretch of games that includes Northbridge, Bartlett, Auburn and David Prouty, the Woolies square off against the Spartans on the road. This young team with a new coach is going to grow up fast in 2010. 2009 results: Northbridge 34 ....................................Millbury 0 Bartlett 39.........................................Millbury 20 Auburn 34...........................................Millbury 7 Uxbridge 22.......................................Millbury 14 David Prouty 28 .................................Millbury 13 Millbury 21 ........................................Bay Path 0 Southbridge 37 ....................................Millbury 0 Millbury 39 ........................................Quaboag 6 Millbury 20.......................................Leicester 14 Oxford 27..........................................Millbury 14 Millbury 34.........................................Grafton 26 Auburn 28...........................................Millbury 6 Jim’s take: Millbury took its lumps last year, but the younger players seemed to turn things around at midseason as the Woolies put together a playoff push. It will be interesting to see what they can do with a year of varsity experience under their belts. The schedule is very tough for Millbury early, but if the Woolies can weather the storm, there could be another trip to the postseason. 5 Follow the Woolies’ every game this fall at www.telegram.com/hometeam. Oxford Pirates Home field: Oxford High. Grass field, 495 Main St., Oxford. Brain trust: Coach: Jeff Parcells (second season, 3-8 with Oxford, 59-62 career). Assistants: Vin Dagostino, Scott Ferguson, Jim Nolan, Chris Barry, Anthony McDonald, Andrew Martin, Craig Durell. Returning starters: 13 (6 offense, 7 defense). Captains: Sr. RB Nick Tessier, Sr. WR/DB Jeff Bolio, Sr. LB Andrew Gray, Sr. DB/OLB Dan Klein, Sr. WR/DB Kayvon Lewis, Sr. C/LB Adam Kramer. Top players: Sr. OL/DL DeCarlo Anderson. Out with the old: The Pirates graduated one of their two Division 2B all-stars last year in DL Mike Krouse. In with the new: Jr. SL/LB Mike D’Alio, Jr. SL/LB Nick Lemay, Jr. OL/DL Chris Burley, So. LB/WR Mike Ellsessar, Sr. QB Nick Stockhaus. When the Pirates have the ball: Multiple offensive sets. … Scored 161 points. … Skill positions are a strength for the Pirates, led by returning Tessier at RB. … After taking last season off, Stockhaus returns under center, hoping to build on a strong sophomore year. … Lewis is back at wide receiver. When their opponents have the ball: 3-4 formation.… Allowed 264 points. … Gray and Kramer are back to lead the linebacking corps. … Anderson is one of the better nose guards around. … Bolio and Klein are back in the secondary. In the trenches: The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Anderson is a tremendous two-way player at tackle. … White also will play tackle on both sides of the ball. One to watch: Tessier, a two-year captain, led Central Mass. in carries last season. Parcells said Tessier is dedicated to the weight room and is a tremendous player to rebuild a team around. “He’s a hard runner who would rather run you over than hit the sideline.” The quote: “We’re looking to take some steps forward this year,” Parcells said. “It was good for these kids to get the monkey off their back last year 2009: 3-8 (2-5 Division 3B) By Jim Wilson with a few wins — now it’s time to believe we can win. We do have some very talented skill players who can make plays.” Schedule: Sept. 11...............................Pioneer Valley, 1 Sept. 17...................................at Quabbin, 7 Sept. 25................................at Bay Path, 12 Oct. 2 ................................Southbridge, 1:45 Oct. 8.......................................at Grafton, 7 Oct. 15..................................David Prouty, 7 Oct. 22...................................at Uxbridge, 7 Oct. 29...................................at Leicester, 7 Nov. 5 .....................................at Millbury, 7 Nov. 12 ......................................Quaboag, 7 Nov. 25.......................................Auburn, 10 Key game: Oct. 29 at Leicester. The Pirates nearly knocked off the Wolverines last year and would love another crack at them to show off how improved they are in the second year of Parcells’ rebuilding plan. 2009 results: Pioneer Valley 32...........................Oxford 12 Oxford 21.....................................Quabbin 0 Bay Path 19 ....................................Oxford 7 Southbridge 35..............................Oxford 24 Grafton 26......................................Oxford 7 David Prouty 43.............................Oxford 14 Uxbridge 18 ....................................Oxford 0 Leicester 20 ..................................Oxford 13 Oxford 36..................................Quaboag 36 Oxford 27....................................Millbury 14 Auburn 34 ......................................Oxford 0 Jim’s take: The Pirates keep getting better under Parcells, and that trend should continue in 2010. Stockhaus’ return should help speed things up, as he will be surrounded with talented skill players like Tessier, Bolio and Lewis to add to Oxford’s win total. 5 Follow the Pirates’ every game this fall at www.telegram.com/hometeam.

WWW.TELEGRAM.COM/HOMETEAM CENTRAL MASS. HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE PAGE 27 Home field: Harry J. McMahon Field. Grass field, at the high school, 25 Cole Ave., Southbridge. Brain trust: Coach: Frank Koumanelis (fifth season, 21-23 at SHS, 39-37 career). Assistants: Josh Blanchette, David Burris, Bob Fowler, Rick Carrero, Bill Sullivan, Don Bernier, Paul Hefner, Rich Buccelli, Brian Davis. Returning starters: 16 (9 offense, 7 defense). Captains: Sr. QB/CB Josh MacNeil, Sr. C/DT Tavaughn Garcia, Sr. DT/DE Nelson Vega, Sr. WR/CB Damian Carlos. Top players: Jr. RB/LB Bart Chenevert, Jr. RB/LB Jamie Ortiz, Jr. WR/CB Enrique Ortiz, So. TE/DE Chad Lazo, So. TE/DE Rashaunn Perez, Jr. OT/DE Angel Rosario, Jr. G Caleb O’Leary. Out with the old: The Pioneers graduated three Division 2B all-stars, OL Alex Lepage and linebackers Luis Santos and Hashian Rosario. When the Pioneers have the ball: I-formation … Scored 212 points, fourth-most in Division 2B. … The Pioneers lost just two starters on offense. … Jamie Ortiz led the Pioneers with 759 rushing yards last year. … MacNeil threw for 788 yards and returns some great targets in Enrique Ortiz, Carlos and Lazo. … Chenevert will help out in the backfield. When their opponents have the ball: 4-4 defense. … Allowed 170 points, second-fewest in Division 2B. … Lazo and Garcia return on the defensive line. … DIVISION 2B Southbridge Pioneers 2009: 8-4 (5-2 Division 2B); Division 2 Super Bowl runner-up TOM RETTIG Southbridge quarterback Josh MacNeil tries to recover a fumble against Auburn. Quaboag Cougars Home field: Quaboag Regional Field. Grass field, 284 Old West Brookfield Rd., Warren. Brain trust: Coach: David Shepherd (second season, 1-9 career). Assistants: Nick Frank, Henry Brogna. Returning starters: 20 (10 offense, 10 defense). Captains: Sr. RB/LB Jon Santucci, Sr. T/DT Max Perria, Sr. RB/DB Derrick Bish, Jr. QB/RB/S Jake Thompson. Top players: So. G Brandon Loyd, So. QB Jimmy Zalatoras, So. WR/DB Joey Zalatoras, So. LB Anthony Girard, Fr. FB/DE Steven Tabor, Sr. T/DT Eric Chagon, Sr. T/DT Max Perria, Jr. C Scott Duncan. Out with the old: The Cougars graduated nine players from last year’s team. In with the new: So. T/DT Andrew Perez, Jr. WR/LB Sawyer Price. When the Cougars have the ball: I-formation offense. … Scored 109 points. … The Cougars will feature Santucci at fullback and Bish getting most of the carries. … Thompson is Quaboag’s lone Division 2B all-star last year and will return at quarterback — but is also a threat to run. … Janosz is also in the quarterback mix. … Morin will line up at tight end. When their opponents have the ball: 4-3 and 4-4 defensive alignments. … Allowed 368 points. … Duncan and Morin anchor the defensive line. … Santucci leads the linebackers. … Bish and Thompson are a solid duo at defensive back. In the trenches: Chagon and Perria will bookend the line at the tackles. … Duncan returns at center. One to watch: Santucci, who led the team in tackles last year, should lead a team loaded with returning players. The Cougars play a tough schedule for a second-year team, but the running game won’t be a worry for Shepherd, who has two strong players to rely on in Santucci and Bish. 2009: 1-9 (0-7 Division 2B) By Jim Wilson Schedule: Sept. 10..................................at Pathfinder, 7 Sept. 18 .......................................Maynard, 7 Sept. 24...................................at Leicester, 7 Oct. 1........................................at Mohawk, 7 Oct. 9......................................Southbridge, 3 Oct. 15.........................................Uxbridge, 7 Oct. 22 ...............................at David Prouty, 7 Oct. 29..........................................Millbury, 7 Nov. 5 ........................................at Grafton, 7 Nov. 12........................................at Oxford, 7 Nov. 24.............................................Ware, 7 Key game: Sept. 10 at Pathfinder. The Cougars’ only win last year was the season opener, so Quaboag is hoping to get its sophomore campaign off to another 1-0 start. 2009 results: Quaboag 14 .................................Pathfinder 8 Maynard 40 .................................Quaboag 14 Leicester 30 ..................................Quaboag 0 Southbridge 41 .............................Quaboag 12 Uxbridge 42...................................Quaboag 6 David Prouty 46............................Quaboag 12 Millbury 39....................................Quaboag 6 Grafton 48...................................Quaboag 18 Oxford 36....................................Quaboag 13 Ware 38......................................Quaboag 14 Jim’s take: Quaboag seems to be doing things right under Shepherd in just the program’s second season. The building blocks of a solid formation are there — now it’s about keeping the momentum going and utilizing some strong returning players into a competitive season. 5 Follow the Cougars’ every game this fall at www.telegram.com/hometeam. By Jim Wilson Chenevert is back at middle linebacker. … Carlos and Perez return to shore up the defensive backfield. In the trenches: Vega and Rosario return at the tackle spots. … O’Leary is back at guard. One to watch: MacNeil should improve on a stellar junior year, thanks to weapons like Carlos, and Enrique and Jamie Ortiz. The senior slinger has a solid line in front of him as part of an offense that lost just two starters. If the Pioneers stay healthy, MacNeil should surpass 1,000 yards and give Southbridge its best offensive weapon since Tyler Ramsey. The quote: “I see us as being competitive,” Koumanelis said. “Look for Prouty and Grafton to be very strong. Every team that we play this year will be much stronger. It will be a tough league.” Schedule: Sept. 10........................................Tantasqua, 7 Sept. 17 ..............................................North, 7 Sept. 24 ...........................................Grafton, 7 Oct. 2 ........................................at Oxford, 1:45 Oct. 9 .........................................at Quaboag, 3 Oct. 16 .....................................at Tyngsboro, 7 Oct. 22.........................................at Millbury, 7 Oct. 29...........................................Uxbridge, 7 Nov. 5............................................Leicester, 7 Nov. 12 .....................................David Prouty, 7 Nov. 25 ...................................at Bartlett, 10:15 Key game: Oct. 29 vs. Uxbridge. The Pioneers host the Spartans in what starts a brutal stretch of Division 2B games, against Uxbridge, Leicester, David Prouty and Bartlett. Southbridge needs to make a statement here if it hopes to challenge for the league title. 2009 results: Tantasqua 14 .............................Southbridge 13 Southbridge 31 ....................................North 10 Southbridge 12 ...................................Grafton 7 Southbridge 35..................................Oxford 24 Southbridge 41................................Quaboag 12 Southbridge 37..................................Millbury 0 Uxbridge 6...................................Southbridge 0 Southbridge 8 ..................................Leicester 7 David Prouty 36 ...........................Southbridge 7 Southbridge 22 .................................Bartlett 16 Southbridge 6.....................................Bartlett 3 Auburn 35...................................Southbridge 0 Jim’s take: If the Pioneers stay healthy they should compete for the league title. The Pioneers’ offense will be tough to stop as Southbridge looks to finish strong and raise some hardware at the end of the year. 5 Follow the Pioneers’ every game this fall at www.telegram.com/hometeam. Uxbridge Spartans 2009: 7-5 (4-3 Division 2B); Division 2 Playoffs Home field: Anthony Donatelli Field. Grass field, 62 Capron St., Uxbridge. Brain trust: Coach: T.J. Raeke (fourth season, 14-20 career). Assistants: Justin Pominville (defensive coordinator), John Kupiek (offensive coordinator), Matt Cornelious (offensive line), Mark Wilkins (wide receivers/linebackers), Russell Wise (freshmen). Returning starters: 15 (6 offense, 9 defense). Captains: Sr. OL/LB William Bishop, Sr. TE/OLB Nick Lovett, Sr. OL/DL J.P. McGrath, Sr. RB/DB Scott Nye, Sr. QB/DB Daniel Tessier. Top players: Sr. OL/DL John Jameson, Sr. OL Sam Dubois, Sr. OL Matt Bell, Jr. LB Chris Stocey, Sr. LB Kevin Desjardin, Jr. LB Tyler Wisserkerke, Jr. WR Tim Beaudette. Out with the old: The Spartans graduated two of their four Division 2B all-stars, losing LB Pat McCrohan and LB Justin Wroe. When the Spartans have the ball: Wing-T. … Scored 249 points, third-most in Division 2A … Tessier (1,025 passing yards, 9 TDs) returns for his second year at quarterback. … Beaudette again will be a top target. … Lovett returns at tight end. … Nye (401 rushing yards, 7 TDs) will get most of the carries, but Wisserkerke (323 rushing yards) will help out. When their opponents have the ball: Multiple defensive sets. … Allowed 218 points, fourth-fewest in Division 2A… The linebacking corps is loaded with Lovett (26 tackles), Bishop (44 1 ⁄2 tackles), Storey (team-high 80 tackles), Desjardin and Wisserkerke (20 1 ⁄2 tackles) all back. … Nye and Tessier (30 tackles, 4 INTs) shore up the defensive backfield. … McGrath and Bell line up at the tackles. In the trenches: The Spartans return a ton on the lines with Bishop, McGrath, Jameson, Dubois and Bell. One to watch: When Raeke took over four years ago to rebuild the Spartans, he found he already had a tremendous piece of the puzzle with Tessier entering his freshman season. Tessier has since become a four-year starter at Uxbridge not only on the gridiron, but on the basketball court as well. Tessier also has started three years on the Spartans’ baseball team and is garnering attention from Football Champion- By Jim Wilson ship Subdivision (Division 1-AA) and Division 2 coaches for next fall. He’s a force on both sides of the ball, and he will play a big role this year as the Spartans make a playoff push. The quote: “Experience will be a real strength for us this year,” Raeke said. Schedule: Sept. 11................................West Boylston, 1 Sept. 18 ...................................Monty Tech, 1 Sept. 25.....................................at Nipmuc, 1 Oct. 2 ............................................Millbury, 1 Oct. 9......................................Leicester, 2:30 Oct. 15 .....................................at Quaboag, 7 Oct. 22............................................Oxford, 7 Oct. 29 ................................at Southbridge, 7 Nov. 6 ...............................David Prouty, 2:30 Nov. 12 ......................................at Grafton, 7 Nov. 25 ..........................at Northbridge, 10:15 Key game: Oct. 29 at Southbridge. The teams played a classic last year, with the Spartans edging the Pioneers, 6-0. This year promises to be just as good as these two teams are expected to compete for the Division 2B title. 2009 results: Uxbridge 40.........................West Boylston 20 Uxbridge 42 ..............................Monty Tech 8 Uxbridge 22...................................Nipmuc 20 Uxbridge 22 ..................................Millbury 14 Leicester 21 .................................Uxbridge 10 Uxbridge 42...................................Quaboag 6 Uxbridge 18 ......................................Oxford 0 Uxbridge 6 ................................Southbridge 0 David Prouty 35.............................Uxbridge 7 Grafton 31.....................................Uxbridge 6 Northbridge 33.............................Uxbridge 27 Northbridge 30...............................Uxbridge 7 Jim’s take: The Spartans return an impressive defense that should keep most teams in check. Add that to an offense that returns a handful of skill position players, and Uxbridge should return to the playoffs this year. 5 Follow the Spartans’ every game this fall at www.telegram.com/hometeam.

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